Comedy on Wheels cast Amy Amantea and James Brown rehearsing a scene on pedestrian safety.

People with disabilities often have different needs than other people, but we share the same coping mechanisms as everyone else – including laughter.

Rapper Greg ‘Spokes’ Labine

“Life can be a struggle for a person living with a disability,” says rapper Greg Labine. “Many situations are challenging. We need to find ways to laugh!”

“We have an opportunity through this show to share our experiences in a light and humorous way,” adds performer Kevin Woollard.

Indeed, humour is the frame of reference for Realwheels’ production Comedy on Wheels. How does a blind person deal with well-intentioned but unhelpful suggestions from folks with perfect vision? Or, respond to a perfect stranger who asks, “How do people in wheelchairs have sex?” Or to people who don’t understand why stairs and wheelchairs don’t mix?

Humour offers a psychological solution to these challenges – and helps others to see a different side of disability as well.

“If people with disabilities can impart our humour upon our audience, then we may find it reduces the stigma,” adds performer Amy Amantea, “It makes us relatable to someone who doesn’t have a disability.”

Performer Dannielle Hayes recording lines at VAMS studio.

Another performer, Dannielle Hayes, takes it even further.

“Many people make the mistake of taking life too seriously… There is always humour to keep us smiling and laughing.”

Labine, whose musical talents are featured in the show, suggests there’s a healing component to laughter. “Laughter gives energy to the soul. Life can be tiresome without a little lightening up of the heart.”

Hayes agrees. And for those wondering if laughing about disability is appropriate she adds:

“It’s okay as long as the joke is from us!”

—Comedy on Wheels is a big show, with a large cast, guaranteeing laughs, diverse points of view, and surprises. Don’t miss the fun – three performances only!

In Realwheels’ new production Comedy on Wheels, laughter is not only accepted, it’s encouraged!

“We’ll be laughing too, and the theatre will be a safe space,” says Andrew Vallance, one of the performers in the show. “No one will judge you.”

That’s apparent right from the opening acts, as we discover that certain assumptions made by non-disabled folks about disabilities are hilariously absurd. We also learn about the daily challenges of seemingly simple tasks that non-disabled people may take for granted, such as scheduling transportation or pedestrian safety. All the while, a comedic sense of ridiculousness keeps the atmosphere relaxed.

She has a point. Many of the funniest scenes point to a common thread – how society has created barriers that don’t need to be there.

“This production shows the difficulties people with disabilities have using everyday services,” according to Aaron Roderick, who plays an extremely unhelpful public transit clerk in several scenes. “People with disabilities need a voice in the community.”

Vallance believes this comedy show can help. “Through laughing, you will hopefully be able to more fully understand the disability experience.”

Brook has even higher goals.

“I hope people take away a much more well-rounded sense of not only what disability is, but also what people with disabilities are – and can be.”

Comedy on Wheels is a big show, with a large cast, guaranteeing laughs, diverse points of view, and surprises. Don’t miss the fun – three performances only!

Ticket info below.
—Comedy on Wheels is a production by Realwheels. It will be performed on May 18-20, 2017 at Performance Works in Vancouver.

This workshop-to-performance community collaboration is a response to community interest to strengthen and capitalize on one of our greatest assets – the ability to use humour and storytelling to cope with life’s challenges.

As a participant, you’ll receive coaching and training in comedy, storytelling, and other theatre-based disciplines from various guest artists, led by the collaborative team of International Comedy Expert David Granirer and Realwheels’ own Rena Cohen. As with all Wheel Voices projects, we’re excited to nurture and develop emerging talent in the disability community.

All training is offered free of charge.

The project will culminate in a celebration of everyone’s stories in a fully-staged theatrical production in May 2017!

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!!

Two roundtable discussions will take place in January 2017. These conversations will kickstart the creative process, serving to share information, get community feedback and perspective, and offer up some exercises to get your comedic wheels turning.

Comedy on Wheels workshops will then officially launch February 04, 2017.